Akumal Coral Ecology Project: Continuing Studies on Coral Disease in Akumal by Lucy Jack During July and August, a research team from the University of Edinburgh worked with CEA to investigate Yellow Band Syndrome (YBS). Coral reef health is under global threat and there has been a region-wide decline in corals across the whole Caribbean basin. One cause of this decline is the emergence and spread of new coral diseases. The causes of these diseases are for the best part unknown and they continue to induce a gradual shift in the vital status of coral reef ecosystems. It has been suggested that coral diseases may be associated with a decline in reef environmental quality. Though little quantitative work has been carried out in this area, some research has been carried out in Akumal, by several universities. This is a new and developing field of research. Defining environmental factors and community structures that are associated with a coral disease are important in terms of understanding its cause. Yellow band syndrome is a voracious and fatal disease, which affects Montastrea corals, an important group of reef-building species. The team aims to investigate the relationship between YBS incidence and reef water quality, among other factors. Some Fresh Air for the CEA Center by Joe Duclos For the last few months we’ve been telling you about plans to update the exhibits at the Center to improve the information we offer to visitors. We are working to protect an interesting and beautiful ecosystem and would like to invite all our visitors to understand the ecology of the area, its species and hydrology. Creating new exhibits to demonstrate the relationship between the mangrove and the reef, for example, requires funds. As we research the costs involved, we’ve been gratified to discover that they are coming in below our original estimates, which, of course, makes us even more eager to get started. We continue to hope for your support in this effort. However, there is another part of this upgrade project that we haven’t mentioned—the improvements to the building itself. All of you who have attended an evening event at CEA when the shutters were down will remember that it gets pretty hot in there, and the fans don’t seem to be of much help. So we’ve been looking into ways to make the Center a more inviting venue for after-hours events. Click here to read what we’ve come up with. Remembrance With a Touch of Nostalgia by Lucila Balam I am now back at home in my city, but the feeling that invaded my soul during my stay at CEA still lingers. Recalling what was, for me, a marvelous experience, transforms my nostalgia into pleasant memories I wish to share. Every morning a proud and radiant sun rose over the horizon, caressing the sea, making it shine like diamonds, enrapturing the observer as the sparkling waves sweetly lapped upon the shore as I walked along the beach. It was a truly magical awakening, one that filled me with energy for the whole day. Many times, during these sunrises, I wondered how entirely fulfilling it would be if only I could find a place, just one, where the beach was yet to be touched by construction, far from these distractions that keep us from wholly participating in this great gift. I didn’t find that place. Perhaps I didn’t seek it enough, I didn’t walk far enough. Or perhaps that place I long for simply doesn’t exist, at least not on these beaches. At times I’d find a quieter, less-disturbed spot, but never one completely untouched. It’s a bit sad, yet I still enjoyed every single morning as the fresh and marvelous experience it was. Click here to read more. Conservation in the Biblioteca by Lucy Jack During July, a British team of ecologists based at CEA ran two workshops for local children in association with Akumal Hekab Be Biblioteca. One Wednesday morning 30 children were invited to the Information Center. The workshop discussed water use, pollution and its potential impacts, and focused on sharing and preserving clean water for the endemic species of the area. The children viewed images of marine animals and learned their names in Spanish and English. The following Saturday, the children met again in the Biblioteca for an arts and crafts class in which they created posters promoting marine conservation. The posters are currently displayed in the CEA Center. Akumal Coral Ecology Project would like to thank Carlos Pech for his help in this collaboration. Turtle Update Sept. 8, 2004 Since the season began, 109 nests have been protected, with a total of 5,193 turtle hatchlings to date. Upcoming Events Coastal Beach Cleanup Participate With CEA The Ocean Conservancy has organized this year’s global beach clean-up on September 18. CEA will participate with several events, working with children from the Akumal community, as well as visitors, to clean up beaches in Akumal. Divers will also participate through local dive shops. It will be interesting to see where all the trash is coming from. We will document the type and source of garbage, where possible, and send the information into the main office of The Ocean Conservancy, adding to the global reporting of garbage flows along coastal areas. Please contact CEA if you would like to participate. Sensory Theatre at Akumal Come experience Sensorama—and walk guided by your own higher self and the earth’s natural elements. You will be blindfolded, but will see much more. CEA is co-sponsoring what is described as a sensory theatre, an artistic exposition, a meditation, a therapy. Sensorama is a guided experience that has been internationally developed over the last nine years. Its purpose is to develop the sensual and emotional intelligence, through a dynamic experimentation of our selves with the elements of earth, water, fire and air. Please join us in front of the CEA Center each Thursday at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wear comfortable clothing. The cost is $20 U.S., 20% of which goes to CEA. VIDAS veterinary clinics coming in October to Tulum, Akumal, Chemuyil and Laguna Bacalar. Click here to learn more. Check our Web site frequently to learn more about CEA's programs and upcoming events. What's new at our On-line Store? You can now contribute directly to our CEA Center Renovations; all contributors will be listed on our Web site and at the CEA Center. Copies of "Plants in Akumal, Mexico" are also now available through our On-line Store; proceeds go directly to CEA. Special Thanks ... to Bob Klotz for becoming a Major Contributor and to the Leffelaars for contributing to a much-needed new dorm kitchen refrigerator for CEA. There are many ways you, too, can help and become a CEA Friend. One simple way is to tell your friends about the organization. Many CEA Members joined after being referred to CEA by people like you. If you have questions about how you can become more involved, please contact us. The Yucatan Environmental Foundation is the U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal agent for CEA. All donations made through YEF for CEA are tax-deductible in the U.S. Thank you for your continued support of CEA. We list our CEA Members and Contributors on our CEA Friends page. Please take a moment and make sure we have you listed. If you have a story or comment you would like to have added, please e-mail it to us. If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or simply need to contact CEA, please click here.